Towards zero waste: Three reusable tableware products to invest in

As the conversations around reducing waste and living more sustainably increase, lifestyle and tableware brands that offer reusable options are set to win big. Here at WGSN Lifestyle & Interiors, we’ve been tracking the rise of more design-led alternatives to disposable products, as great design is one of the factors that can ultimately win consumers away from low-cost, single-use items towards products for life. Here are three brands who are making the sustainable choice look seriously enticing.

Barista-grade takeaway coffee

One of the biggest barriers to investing in a reusable takeaway coffee cup, for me, was that I hate drinking from plastic. So when I discovered that KeepCup makes a barista-grade, glass coffee cup, I was sold. This brand stands out for its cheerful colour range, high-grade materials (cork in addition to that sturdy glass) and the conscious approach it takes across its whole business.

A straw for life

If reusable coffee cups are the first step – the ‘entry level’ reuse product – then this is where to go next. Having successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter to the tune of $1.8m, it’s fair to say that there is some serious market demand for FinalStraw. Described as “the world’s first collapsible, reusable straw”, it fits on a keyring and answers those moments when you have a fancy juice, a colourful smoothie or an expensive cocktail – all of which feel a bit odd to drink without a straw – but don’t want to commit a plastic straw to landfill after about 15 seconds’ use.

Eco lunch wrap

Over the past few years, reusable plastic food containers have had a big design rebrand and there are a lot of styles, colours and concepts to choose from. But when you’re wrapping a sandwich to take to work, it can still be easier to reach for clingfilm or tinfoil. Enter The Beeswax Wrap Co., who make reusable, biodegradable wraps using beeswax from a beekeeper local to them, in the Cotswolds in the UK. The vintage-tinted colours and cute patterns are the icing on the cake.